Alternatives

At the close of the Civil War, the following was found in the pocket of a Confederate soldier,

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among men, most richly blessed.

What we have in mind for ourselves, and what God has in mind for us, aren’t always the same. Moses seemed content as a shepherd in Midian, but God saw greater things for him (Exo. 3). Paul had Bythinia in his preaching sights, but God’s alternative was Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). I suppose the sooner we accept that God might have something else in store for us, the sooner we’ll be able to recognize what God might be doing in our lives for our benefit. This is the beauty of God’s direction. Do we see it for what it is? Can we accept life’s alternatives?